It’s time we embraced cannabis culture

It’s time we all admitted it: there’s absolutely no shame in partaking in the devil’s flower, and those who believe otherwise desperately need to catch up with the times.

The effects of marijuana vary for everyone, but ultimately, regardless of whether you’re a Biomolecular engineer or an aspiring avant-garde filmmaker, you’ll be able to get something meaningful out of it creatively, spiritually, and/or recreationally (with responsible use, of course).

Marijuana has the potential to elevate any experience–whether it’s long drives with a close friend, listening to music, stargazing, watching films, reading, studying, or a night on the town–while creating a synergy of the senses. I’ve found that it allows my mind to expand both inwards and outwards, connecting me more to myself and my surroundings; modes of perception become more receptive while the world itself grows more intense and immersive. And as someone who appreciates art in all of its forms, the creative stimulation while on a high is incredible.

Chris*, a rising senior and Computer Science major, reveals his reasons for indulging regularly in the substance.

“I really enjoy the way that I feel when I’m high–it just relaxes me in general–and doing anything where I have to focus is just a lot more satisfying. It allows me to concentrate intensely on my studies without even realizing it, and taking a few hits before going to the gym lets me push my physical limits even further than usual. It makes online gaming a more engaging experience as well, since I get really in the zone.”

Irina*, a rising senior and English major, has stated that she enjoys smoking because it allows her to be more creative and “see old things in new light.”

“I love being outside high because it makes me feel really connected to nature. Smoking also makes even the most mundane things — watching a movie with my roommates, listening to music, reading — seem like an adventure.”

She makes a valid point about the stigma surrounding weed as well: “If marijuana was more socially acceptable, obtaining it wouldn’t have to be so sketchy and people could feel comfortable smoking it outside of their homes.”

But millennials and college students aren’t the only ones who enjoy smoking weed — even Harvard professors indulge.

Back in 1969, the Harvard astrophysicist, Carl Sagan, proved to be a passionate advocate for marijuana usage and legalization. He voiced his experiences in Marijuana Reconsidered: “Some of the most rewarding highs I’ve had have been in sharing talk and perceptions and humor. Cannabis brings us an awareness that we spend a lifetime being trained to overlook and forget and put out of our minds.”

He even convinced fellow Harvard psychiatrist, Lester Grinspoon, who had previously been completely against the use of cannabis, to start smoking it regularly.

Sagan stated: “The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.”

I imagine he’d be pretty furious upon finding out that a whole five decades after he’d written this impassioned account, states such as our very own Florida have yet to alter their stance against the use of marijuana even for strictly medicinal purposes.

The general public’s ignorance towards the recreational and medical benefits of marijuana consumption (from relieving stress and anxiety to killing cancerous cells and stimulating brain cell growth) is truly a ridiculous modern spectacle to behold. Even more unreasonable is the fact that it’s legally equatable to meth and heroin. All are classified as Schedule I substances — something future generations will likely laugh about while reading in their history textbooks. 

*Names have been changed